It brought us together

by Ella

Breastfeeding was incredibly easy for me and Frank. I had a
horrible labour and lost lots of blood so I was lucky my milk came in. He was a
guzzler from day 1. It really hurt, toe curling pain in the beginning but
thankfully that wore off. I remember being stressed about how much milk he was
taking, how long he was feeding and feeling like if he doesn’t feed he’ll die!
But I really enjoyed feeding and found the night feeds so meditative. It really
bonded us together.

The first
time I had to feed in a busy shopping centre I remember feeling very nervous
and insecure, but telling myself I’m being stupid. I then learnt to feed while
walking around town, in the pub and anywhere else I needed to. It became second
nature. I hated it when he would refuse in public and fight it as it would
attract lots of eyes. I also think it really helps being in Brighton as it’s
such a liberal and accepting environment.

It was
important having other people who also breastfed around me in the early days as
I was aware we were going through the same thing and I had a support network. I
could discuss all the pains, blockages, expressing systems etc. I would
sometimes enjoy the breastfeeding room encounters with strangers. I also think
once you have breastfed you look at other breastfeeding mothers very
differently as you can relate to it and it brings back memories for
me.

I think
breastfeeding brought me and my baby really close together. It was a beautiful
thing we shared, that I knew kept him alive and bonded us. I also think it
brought me and my partner closer as I know he had so much love and respect for
me breastfeeding his child. It definitely has affected the way I think about my
breasts as I don’t associate them with sex.

Breastfeeding
meant I was the only carer at night time and this is exhausting. It means you
can’t have a night away and that your baby is still relying on you heavily. I
didn’t mind this at all and enjoyed being the one he would settle with but I am
also relieved to have my independence back now.